The plan addresses the recently issued Ombudsman report entitled
"Veterans' Right to Disclosure: A Matter of Procedural Fairness." It
consists of new measures that will ensure Veterans and their families
have a better understanding of the Department's disability benefit
application process for considering information and how that
information is used to make a decision on their applications.

"While over 70% of first applications currently receive a favorable
decision, we welcome this report because we are always looking for ways
to improve how we serve Veterans and their families," said Minister
Blaney. "To best serve Veterans, we are making the right decision as
quickly as possible. Veterans can be assured that every application is
reviewed and fully considered to ensure a fair outcome."

As a result of the Right to Fairness Implementation Plan, the Department
will now:

proactively call Veterans who have not submitted sufficient evidence to
support their application. This will give applicants the opportunity to
submit any additional, relevant information;

more clearly inform applicants that the applicants' official service and
health records will be required and retrieved as part of the
application process;

examine ways to further streamline the process for common disability
claims to make processes quicker and more efficient, with the view to
ensuring faster decisions for Veterans; and

ensure that all documents submitted by Veterans are reviewed and
factored into the decision on an application every time before a
negative decision is made on the application.

For more information on the Right to Fairness Implementation Plan, visit
veterans.gc.ca.